Mar 5, 2008

Lakers to take on second-ranked GVSU in GLIAC semifinals

March 5, 2008

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State, the only unranked team in this year's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball final four, will be taking on second-ranked Grand Valley State at 6 p.m. Friday in Allendale.

The Lakers (12-15), who have won five straight games and have reached the GLIAC semifinals for the first time since 1996, have a monumental task in taking on GVSU (31-0) on its home court. The other GLIAC semifinal game pits sixth-ranked Findlay (25-3) against seventh-ranked Gannon (25-3) at 8 p.m. GLIAC officials believe that this may be the first time in NCAA history that three national top-10 Division II teams are meeting in the semifinals of one conference tournament.

The LSSU-GVSU game will be broadcast live on WSOO 1230-AM and simulcast on www.lssulakers.com. Pay-per-view video coverage is available on the B2 Network.

LSSU had a combined record of 0-4 against GVSU, Findlay and Gannon during the regular season. The Lakers lost 78-61 and 87-51 to GVSU, dropped a 75-63 home decision to Gannon and lost 95-77 at Findlay.

Lake Superior State played a good second half against GVSU on Dec. 1 and had a decent first half during the rematch on Feb. 14. Although LSSU's Tim VanOudheusden averaged 16.5 points per game and Ryan Kuhl added 15 ppg in the two games against Grand Valley State, GVSU charged with more offensive weapons. GVSU averaged 30.5 made field goals to LSSU's 19.5.

Gannon built a 10-point halftime lead over LSSU on Dec. 6 and extended it to 24 points by midway through the second half. After that disappointing showing, the Lakers won three of their next four games. The loss to Findlay occurred during a four-game losing slump in January, but the Lakers are 8-3 since that stretch. During LSSU's last 11 games, VanOudheusden has been averaging 17.9 ppg, Kuhl 14.6 ppg and Mark Morse 12.5 ppg. As a team, the Lakers have been averaging 25.2 made field goals and 73.9 points per game.

Laker History: LSSU's last GLIAC final four appearance was in 1995-96 when the Lakers beat Michigan Tech 75-72 and Oakland 106-102 for the title. Guard Don Carlson and forward Eric VanderEyck were named to the GLIAC All-Tournament Team, and center Eric Menk was named most-valuable player. Menk is currently a star in the Philippine professional league. The Lakers, coached by Terry Smith, finished 20-8 that season.

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Cross Country Women's Tennis Women's Volleyball Ice Hockey Men's Basketball Track & Field Women's Basketball Men's Tennis Softball Track & Field Athletic Training Staff Directory Lakers in the Pros Facilities Boosters SAAC Tickets Traditions Student Athlete Handbook Forms	Mar 5, 2008 Lakers to take on second-ranked GVSU in GLIAC semifinals March 5, 2008 SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State, the only unranked team in this year's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball final four, will be taking on second-ranked Grand Valley State at 6 p.m. Friday in Allendale. The Lakers (12-15), who have won five straight games and have reached the GLIAC semifinals for the first time since 1996, have a monumental task in taking on GVSU (31-0) on its home court. The other GLIAC semifinal game pits sixth-ranked Findlay (25-3) against seventh-ranked Gannon (25-3) at 8 p.m. GLIAC officials believe that this may be the first time in NCAA history that three national top-10 Division II teams are meeting in the semifinals of one conference tournament. The LSSU-GVSU game will be broadcast live on WSOO 1230-AM and simulcast on www.lssulakers.com. Pay-per-view video coverage is available on the B2 Network. LSSU had a combined record of 0-4 against GVSU, Findlay and Gannon during the regular season. The Lakers lost 78-61 and 87-51 to GVSU, dropped a 75-63 home decision to Gannon and lost 95-77 at Findlay. Lake Superior State played a good second half against GVSU on Dec. 1 and had a decent first half during the rematch on Feb. 14. Although LSSU's Tim VanOudheusden averaged 16.5 points per game and Ryan Kuhl added 15 ppg in the two games against Grand Valley State, GVSU charged with more offensive weapons. GVSU averaged 30.5 made field goals to LSSU's 19.5. Gannon built a 10-point halftime lead over LSSU on Dec. 6 and extended it to 24 points by midway through the second half. After that disappointing showing, the Lakers won three of their next four games. The loss to Findlay occurred during a four-game losing slump in January, but the Lakers are 8-3 since that stretch. During LSSU's last 11 games, VanOudheusden has been averaging 17.9 ppg, Kuhl 14.6 ppg and Mark Morse 12.5 ppg. As a team, the Lakers have been averaging 25.2 made field goals and 73.9 points per game. Laker History: LSSU's last GLIAC final four appearance was in 1995-96 when the Lakers beat Michigan Tech 75-72 and Oakland 106-102 for the title. Guard Don Carlson and forward Eric VanderEyck were named to the GLIAC All-Tournament Team, and center Eric Menk was named most-valuable player. Menk is currently a star in the Philippine professional league. The Lakers, coached by Terry Smith, finished 20-8 that season.